FIFTH AND ADAMS

American Eagle is one of those stores I don't go into often (and by often I mean I haven't been there for about 6 years). This summer my boyfriend's sister and I went shopping, she had me go into American Eagle so she could get some back to school clothes. I ended up finding a bunch of dresses I loved which I later went back and got. I now have renewed faith in the store. It is not just for high schoolers and college kids, I found some great, cute and affordable basics that could be right for any age.

I have been looking for some cute basics to help refresh my wardrobe for fall. This fall (as I do every fall) I'm looking for comfy skinny jeans with a higher waist, cute boots and a great lightweight jacket. AE hits the nail on the head with the army jacket and the ankle booties. It's also nice to see a floral print redesigned for fall and they always do some classic pieces with a twist, such as a t-shirt with chiffon accordion pleats flowing down the back.

The thing I love about the pieces I am lusting after is that they easily can create outfits with each other as well as seamlessly blend into my fall wardrobe. If you haven't checked out American Eagle lately, definitely give it a chance, there is something there for everyone.

I have been absolutely in love with the Valentino Rockstud Pumps for a while now. All the colors are beautiful, but a red statement shoe is a must for every closet (or a fun color statement shoe). The Rockstud will set you back a pretty penny and since I don't want to pay a month's rent on shoes, I have been searching high and low for a more affordable version. Necessary Clothing's Gravity Pump is a dead ringer, the suede finish and gold studs are a nice change. There is something more wearable about a suede shoe. I would be happy to have either one of these pairs in my closet.

For the longest time I wasn't into jewelry. I wore the same stud earrings everyday and a watch, occasionally I would change it up (to a different pair of stud earrings and a different watch...hah). Lately I have been wanting to change up my wardrobe and statement jewelry is a great way to make your outfits feel fresh and put together on a budget.

This past weekend I went over to Charming Charlie's, if you have never been there I highly recommend it (although it can be a bit overwhelming).Seeing all the fun colorful necklaces and how they can really amp up an outfit got me excited. I left the store with a variety of pieces that will definitely help change up my outfits going into the fall.

The store had jewelry in all styles and colors, so there is definitely something in there for everyone. Plus the reasonable pricing made me feel like I was changing up my wardrobe without breaking the bank. Jewel toned jewelry is a great way to tie color into a neutral outfit while staying on trend for the fall.

There are a ton of stores out there with reasonable priced statement jewelry. Some other stores that I have found some cute pieces at are Forever 21, Baublebar and Jewelmint. What are your favorite places to shop for jewelry?

Since I haven't done a Lust List in a while I figured I would do one since the fall clothes are beginning to hit the stores.

There is an H&M right by my office so I am a frequenter of the store. Lately there have been some pieces that I have been eyeing that would help transition my wardrobe into fall.

1. A blazer is a great staple that should be in every girls wardrobe. The relaxed fit of this one is a great change from the structured blazers that are matched wit suits. I could see myself rocking this winter white blazer with some cute patterned pants or an adorable flowy (not a legit word, but let's pretend) dress.

2. I am such a sucker for over sized loose sweaters (or just sweaters in general). There are a variety of different styles that I have seen around H&M . They have been made in lighter cotton knits which you can easily help transition with those cool days into the frosty winter. I would wear this with jeans on a casual day or a cute pencil skirt to work.

3. I have been talking about wanting a structured handbag for a while now. This handbag is definitely in budget. I have also seen it in a beautiful emerald color in the store. A great structured bag in an unexpected color is definitely on my lust list for fall.

4. Floral pants have been all over the place this past spring and summer. I was a little hesitant to commit to them this summer because it is typically ridiculously hot and humid in the city. The fear of lack of wear prevented me from jumping on the trend for the hot summer days. But a pair of floral pants in a neutral color is a great transition from summer into fall, plus the neutral color means that you can wear them with practically any top. I would love to see if I could use these to experiment on mixing patterns.

5. This over sized flowing dress looks kind of like a shapeless blob, but it can easily be made more flattering with a great belt. I would love to wear this with a great pair of boots or booties. When it gets colder I would still rock it with a comfy cardigan and tights.

6. Speaking of boots (be still my heart), these suede brown boots look so comfy and inviting after a summer full of sandals. I am such a sucker for boots in the fall and winter, I will wear them with pretty much any and everything. The suede gives a nice texture to the boots and the heel height looks manageable for walking up and down the subway stairs.

What are some pieces that you would like to add to your wardrobe to help transition from summer to fall?

Wedding season is beginning to draw to a close. I have already been to a few this year. with another one this weekend. There are a few essentials that I like to have on hand while I'm spending the night dancing.

The basics I always have in my evening clutch are hand sanitizer (I'm a clean freak when it comes to food, if there isn't a bathroom readily available to wash my hands before dinner hand sanitizer is a good backup), the lipstick I am wearing and my wallet (you never know when you may need your license or just want the cash on hand to tip the bartender).

**Side note: From my boyfriend who has worked in the restaurant industry for over a decade. Always tip the bartender at the beginning of the night and he/she will have typically have your drink ready by the time you get up to the bar. It is a great way to get good service if there is always a line at the bar.

Blister Block is always a must. I put it on my feet in area's where I feel like my shoes may give me trouble before the night begins. I keep the stick of Blister Block in my purse for reapplication if necessary.

Near the end of the night I always switch out of my heels into flip flops. They are thin and easy to carry in my clutch, plus after a night of dancing the relief is always appreciated.

What are some of your must-have items when you are going to a wedding or formal event?

Pantone announced earlier this year that the color of the year for 2013 is emerald. While I wasn't ready to wear the color for the summer, I am thrilled to find some emerald pieces to wear this fall.

The easiest way to incorporate color into your wardrobe without busting the bank is with a few clothing pieces. A great emerald skirt would look adorable paired with a ladylike blouse and some booties. A formal emerald dress will help you stand out in a sea of black for a fall wedding.

Personally I would love to get a great handbag in emerald, that way no one will think I am weird if I carry the same bag everyday (not that I care what people think, but I definitely know I would get some stares and questions from my coworkers if I wore the same emerald skirt multiple days in a row).

If you want something more subtle then clothing and handbags, a great men's wear inspired watch with an emerald face is the most discreet way to rock the color.

Summer is currently in full swing, but the shops are currently over it and have their summer clothes on clearance. I took a look around H&M on my lunch break the other day and there was a lot of cute pre-fall clothes available on the rack. While I am not mentally ready to admit that fall is coming sooner then I like, I did see a lot of pieces that would be good for the summer as well as for a good transition into the fall.

Even though the days are typically in the 80s and 90s, the nights still can get a bit chilly. A light canvas jacket or cotton summer sweater can add the perfect amount of warmth without being too hot. These pieces are also great to layer for a chillier rainy or fall day.

During the hot days I would love to stay cool in a graphic dress (I am a closet cat lady) or a sleeveless lady-like blouse with a cute skirt. In the fall I would rock the graphic dress with some black tights and ankle boots or the lady-like blouse with a cardigan and statement necklace for work.

Accessories are the ultimate transition piece because unless its a straw bag, you can pretty much get away with using them all year round. I am a big fan of accessories and even clothes that are a classic with a twist, classic enough to use for multiple seasons (or even years) but edgy enough to keep it looking fresh and not stale. A quilted handbag with a unique pattern fits the bill.

Versatility is key, a short necklace with a collared or crew neck shirt is a great way to add detail to something something plain. This is a round piece that looks good with everything from a silk blouse to a plain tee-shirt, summer, winter, fall or spring.

What have you been oogling around the shops lately? Key summer pieces, transition pieces or warm cozy fall pieces?

A more structured ladylike bag has been on my want list for a while now but most of the ones I have found are a little too classic for my tastes. I am loving the look of the studs around the border of the Valentino Rockstud Tote its the perfect rock star meets Upper East Side mix. The Michael Kors Selma Tote is a great alternative, it is slightly more structured which helps it transition from a day in the office to a night out on the town.

I have about a million weddings this summer (realistically, only 4, but they are pretty much on top of each other). With weddings comes the What to I wear? I got the dresses sorted out but I have been looking for a pair of classic nude shoes with a twist that I can get multiple uses out of and that go with a variety of dresses, like the Christian Louboutin Cachottiere (I smitten, but I am not smitten about the price). For a more reasonable price there is the Julianne Hough for Sole Society "Kristen" Sandal and they also have a much more manageable heel that will keep you dancing all night long.

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